AIG October Update

The Science and Engineering Fair is coming to Eaton Elementary for students in grades 3–5, and we are thrilled for this year's event! Expectations were discussed with all eligible classes during the week of October 12, and participation is expected for all AIG students. Completed applications must be submitted to Mrs. Jones by Friday, November 6, leading up to the Science and Engineering Fair held during the school day on Wednesday, December 2. Click here for more information about the science fair.

We are thrilled to have an Eaton Science Olympiad Team this year! Students will spend time practicing after school to become experts in two areas (academic or engineering). We will then compete against other schools on these topics in February. If your student is interested in Science Olympiad or you would like more information about the program, please click here

Our Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) sessions are in full swing! With classroom routines and procedures well established, our students are settled in and diving deep into rigorous, engaging curriculum designed to stretch their critical thinking.

Here is a look at what our students are working on across the grade levels:

Grade Level Highlights

• 1st Grade: Exploring analytical thinking by learning how to sort, classify, and organize objects into categories based on key similarities.

• 2nd Grade: Strengthening visual thinking and spatial reasoning skills through hands-on image puzzles and spatial logic challenges.

• 3rd Grade: Preparing for the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), which will take place October 20–22. Following the testing window, the 3rd-grade AIG nomination process will officially begin.

• 4th Grade

Reading: Researching famous scientists and engineers to draw inspiration for upcoming science fair projects.

Math: Designing a custom obstacle course blueprint by calculating customary unit conversions and analyzing factor relationships.

• 5th Grade

Math: Embarking on a simulated mission to Mars, analyzing place value relationships and evaluating remainders to derive practical, real-world solutions.

Reading: Writing narrative stories with a targeted focus on crafting compelling expositions and satisfying denouements to build tension and resolve conflicts.

New Hanover County Schools has a new AIG plan for the 2025-2028 school years. If you are interested in reading the plan you can click here. There is also a copy of our AIG plan in the front office for reference.

If you are interested in nominating your student for AIG please email me at kelly.pattison@nhcs.net

Nomination forms can be found here.

The GAC is an independent council of AIG families, local community members, business leaders, and NHCS staff who meet monthly to support and advocate for the NHCS AIG Program. The GAC is part of the community partnership standard in the 2025-2028 NHCS AIG Plan. The council provides perspectives, information, and independent initiatives that are not shared through regular NHCS AIG communications. Please use the link below to join the GAC's mailing list for newsletters and other information for how to support your student and their school's AIG program.

Gifted Advisory Council Contact List - Opt-In

Each school has a parent liaison who attends the monthly GAC meetings. If you are interested in being our parent representative please email me.